WE ARE BACK!
After nearly two months, the NWHL’s Isobel Cup playoffs are back. The 2021 playoffs were suspended after numerous COVID-19 cases were reported within the Lake Placid bubble. While the four remaining teams were disappointed that they didn’t get to finish the playoffs in Lake Placid and left the bubble with no timeline of return, all four teams collectively agreed that suspending the playoffs, momentarily, was the best option for the league to ensure that all players, coaches, staff, and referees remained safe and healthy.
Instead of returning to Lake Placid, the original location of the 2021 bubble, the NWHL Isobel Cup semi-finals and finals will now be played in Brighton, Massachusetts at the Warrior Ice Arena. To comply with COVID-19 protocols, there will be no fans in attendance for the three games.
All players and staff have been tested for COVID-19 and are following all protocols to ensure that this weekend goes off without a hitch. The NWHL will do everything in their power to ensure the Isobel Cup is finally awarded for the first time in over two years.
Prior to the suspension of the playoffs, the Toronto Six were on a tear. The newbies made a statement after losing their first two games, winning all of their games from that point on. They finished the round robin ranked first.
Since the last time the NWHL played, Dani Rylan Kearney resigned from the league. The former commissioner is leaving her role as NWHL advisor and President of W Hockey Partners. She launched the NWHL in 2015 and was the commissioner until October 2020 when Tyler Tumminia took over on an interim basis.
The final three games begin this Friday, March 26th when the Boston Pride takes on the Toronto Six at 5pm, and Connecticut takes on Minnesota during the 8pm game. The winners of the two semi-final games will face off Saturday night at 7pm to see who hoists the Isobel Cup. All three games will be broadcasted live on Twitch and NBCSN.
We, at Unbenched, are so excited for the return of the Isobel Cup playoffs! Be sure to check back here for Bubble Diaries 2.0 as we cover the final three games of the 2021 NWHL playoffs.
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